The industrial vehicle market in Italy closed 2024 with a slight decline of 0.7%, reaching 28,516 registered units over 3.5 tonnes, down from 28,720 in 2023. While the overall figure appears modest, data from the Centro Studi e Statistiche of Unrae, based on registrations from the Ministry of Transport, paints a more nuanced picture, highlighting diverging trends across market segments and a complex dynamic that warrants closer attention.
The year was marked by fluctuations: a strong first half with a growth of 11.5% compared to 2023 was followed by a significant downturn in the second half (-14.2%). December saw a marginal year-on-year increase of 0.7% (1,872 units registered compared to 1,859 in December 2023), confirming this trend. However, the heavy-duty vehicle segment, with a mass of 16 tonnes or more, recorded an 8.6% drop in the final month, reflecting specific challenges.
For the year as a whole, the light vehicle segment (3.51 to 6 tonnes) posted an impressive 27.8% increase in 2024, with 997 units registered compared to 780 in 2023. Conversely, medium-light vehicles (6.01 to 15.99 tonnes) and heavy vehicles (over 16 tonnes) saw declines of 1.7% (3,384 units) and 1.5% (24,135 units), respectively.
Paolo A. Starace, President of Unrae's Industrial Vehicle Section, analysed the 2024 results, emphasising that the sector’s difficulties stem from deep-rooted issues rather than solely from the ecological transition: “Registrations of zero-emission vehicles increased by 119.6%, but they represent only a tiny fraction of the market. The vast majority of vehicles sold remain powered by internal combustion engines (99.3%).”
According to the president, the real challenge lies in meeting CO2 reduction targets imposed on manufacturers. This could lead some companies to adopt protective measures with potentially distortive effects on the market: “This scenario demands urgent and coordinated action at a supranational level, involving all stakeholders to prevent repercussions on freight transport costs and employment, as has already occurred in the automotive sector.”
Unrae has reiterated its call for the Government to implement targeted and structural measures to prevent the negative trend from continuing into 2025. The need for an approach that balances environmental, economic, and employment priorities emerges as a critical task for the coming year.
